Machine for making coaxial cable



y 3 P. c. EMARD 2,638,859

MACHINE FOR MAKING COAXIAL CABLE Filed Oct. 50, 1948 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 P. c. EMARD MACHINE FOR MAKING 'COAXIAL CABLE May 19, 1953 8 Sheets- -Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 50, 1948 o R MM NM. 4 N5 N I: a a w H r A w Z m, E

May 19, 1953 P. c. EMARD 7 2,638,859

MACHINE FOR MAKING COAXIAL CABLE Filed Oct. so, 1948 a Sheets-Sheet s z w z r mvmox PAUL (Wang-.5 EMHED aaiamwv ATTORNEYS May 19, 1953 P. c. EMARD MACHINE FOR MAKING COAXIAL CABLE 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 30, 1948 INVENTOR R z/L amass Z'MfiRD ATTORNEYS May 19, 1953 P. c. EMARD MACHINE FOR MAKING COAXIAL CABLE 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 50, 1948 W mum &

272. N v \rl... H ww INVENTOR. Pm/L firm/ems EMARD fl 'I'ORA EYG P. C. EMARD MACHINE FOR MAKING COAXIAL CABLE May 19, 1953 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Oct... 30, 1948 II II I:

- INVEIVTGR F3404 Gmmes Ema/20 MQLM Kinne May 19, 1953 P. c. EMARD 2,638,859

MACHINE FOR MAKING COAXIAL CABLE Filed Oct. 30, 1948 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 PRO (imews EMA/2o Fri-angry:

May 19, 1953 P. c. EMARD MACHINE FOR MAKING COAXIAL CABLE 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Oct. 50, 1948 Arra/z IVE rs Patented May 19, 1953 12,638,859 MACHINE FOHMAKiNG-JOOA-XIALa-CABLE Paul Charles .;Emnzd, Lyons,- France, to fiomn'agniex sGeneraledElectflcite; Paris,

France, la zFrenohajoint stoc'k 1 company Application October 30-, 1948,:SeriaLNo-57 4.51,. lit-Financed anuary.l24,.1945

1 fiinlve-nlhiflnx relates .& toecoaxial scabies sprovidectxwithi msulating lbleoks; s Th pplicati'oniis .in part continuation oficoperrdingaiapplicatinn Ser. .No; 69%720 filedvizseptemher 1'8; Him-snow abandoned.

One of fthe purposes-.06 this .pmesentzzinvention consists in amoperation in: which-the ceritral conductor of z'thecoaxi-al cable isfirstlymade integral with the insuiating blocks andthenfis surrounded by -a tubular body constituting {the external moncentric conductor, the -.:latter beingmfformecl l.0f

two meta'l -strips shaped'inte casingsiby dishing or 'During this la'tterioperation theaconcentric .con-

ductor is hirnisheci with grciolves to ensune its flexibilityandbetween which'arezpositionedithefblooks. The term: housings-=--will he f -usedh'ereinaiten to designate the -'-parts of the externalwcontiuctor to which are applied-the blocks.

In-order to ensure --th'e-' correct arrangement sof the-central-con'ductor "the -tubular body; it -'-is necessary to produce; on the dished metal strips, spacingss for'the housings intended ionthe blocks precisely equal to the spacing of these blook's on the central conductor.

On "the other -hand; the warious elements of the cable are concluctedthrough the arrangemerit in such mmmer that at' the j unctiompoint of the casings and of the wire provided with blocks, the latter fit wen their respeetivehousingse According to one embodiment of the-preserrt inventiony the centra-l conductor and *thest'rips "intendedto form 'r/heexterna-l conductor are displaced; at the same speed," the-iormer'in "front ofa locating point, theothers imfront-of*a dishing device -driven= such-manner as *to provide a-housingfora block at the instantat which such block comes to lie in front of the loca'tion point.

In thisembodiment the centra-lcondflctorfurnished with its blocks andt-he strips-tone dished are translated 'inparallel; the -dish'ing deviee being controlled bya -clev-ice-functioning-npon-the arrival of "eachhlockin a vertical locatmg'pian'e.

In this same-embodirhent there 'have'been prm vided' for-the respective-drive of the central conductor and of-the-stri-ps of theexternalconducter; jawsym'ountedon a mutual-support -transmitting thereto the forwarddrive: these-jaws open suddenly soas to stop thedriving ,moticvn under the effect *of "electromagnets excitedmp'on the "passage of a "block" in frontal? azcorrtactcr placedthen in thelocatingjlane and controlling the energization of the ele'ctromagne'ts.

*l sitions successive operating 'This' i present invention also provides {for '*-another embodiment ofthie' arrangement formeducingwoaxial cables-provided with insulating blocks; which is characterized" substantiallirby the arrangement upon-one and the-same support of the drivingand "transmission devices for movement; of the contactor switchworkingin conjunction withithe-blocksyof a disningfiortlie stampingmress to'shape the-strips-into casings,

" acarriage bearing the jaws to "convey-the"wire vitled with recesseswhichforms theexternal con- 1 centric conductorofithe cable;

"Two'metal- -strips' 130= f0rm the parts 'of the external "conductorare "located "simultaneously'gat the input "of the-dishing *gpresses: One-of-"these i'meta'istrips 2 anti-one of the dishing presses-"6 only; have beenshown"in*-Fi-gs; 1:65 The-central 'condnctcr'l and-the metal stripsvZ are subjected tovstep*h estepixlisplacement "Ora-length L (not shown") slightly greater thania dis'tanceequal-to the-"prodnctmfnitimes the space w-between two successive *blocksy-th'is' number -'n'- being "'a :whole number and,-may,be"equal tonnityas imthe tcase sh'ownwin the drawing in'whichthe distance of forward travel at each step issribstantiaLllY equal travel at 'eac'h'step'issubstantially-equal totwice thespacebetweenttro successive'block's.

This displacement "of length L is "efi'cted my "action'of thejawsgone jaw, 3; for the central conductor," and-one; 4, for "each external-condfictor strip. These jawsare'mounted"on one'an'd the samesappprtwhichv causes their advancemctmtion taking place after dishing. Theljawsiare carmngedioas ztn open even .it ,the vjawlsiippcnt has not'compltd its entire displacement 'L, at

the precise moment in which an insulating block 10 of the order n, terminating one step of forward travel, passes into a vertical locating plane which is that of the contactor shown in the drawing. The metal strips 2 having completed a displacement L, are dished or die stamped by the punch 6 cooperating with the die 6, these parts being driven by the cam 1 mounted on the same shaft as the cam 8. Thus perfect registration is ensured between the location of an insulating block and that of the corresponding housing which in the example shown may be positioned at any desired distance between two of the successive recesses ii of the casing 2' as shown in Fig. 6. The jaws may be opened at the precise moment of the passage of the insulating block of order n, which terminates one step of forward travel, in the plane of location, by means of a contactor the particular characteristics of which are disclosed hereinafter.

The jaws 3, 4, gripping the central conductor I and the casings 2' during the forward thrust, may open under the action of electromagnets the energization of which is caused by the closure of the contactor 5 under slight thrust from the block ll) of the order n. This contactor is mounted on an arm only capable of moving in a plane perpendicular to the dishing machine 5, and under the influence of a cam 8 the setting of which is such that this arm leaves the working position when the forward movement is about to be effected and approximates that position as soon as the insulating block of order n-1 has passed into its plane, in such manner that the contactor is then ready to be operated by the block of the order n-1.

It has been stated already that the step-by-step displacement of length L (not shown) corresponds substantially to n times the space p between two successive insulating blocks; when, contrary to the case shown in Fig. 1, this number n 'diflers from unity, the contactor 5 must only be actuated upon the arrival of the particular blocks which are to control the dishing device. The displacement of the contactor under the action of the cam 8 allows of the passage of the intermediate blocks preceding the block of order n in such manvner that they are inoperative. Figs. 1 to 5 show the successive positions of the elements of the arrangement during operation.

Figs. 1-5 show in order, the various successive operations. In Fig. 1 the dishing being completed, the contactor 5 is raised to allow to pass the insulating block it which has initiated the preceding operation. The jaws 3 and 4 are closed to allow the start of the forward motion. In Fig. 2 the insulating block H) has passed beyond the level of the contactor 5. The latter takes up its position again ready to be subjected to the action of the following insulating block Hi.

In Fig. 3 the contactor 5 having been contacted by this insulating block the jaws open and the forward motion stops. Fig. 4 shows the dishing period, during which the open jaws return to their initial position. Fig. 5 shows the conclusion of the dishing period. The jaws 3, 4, having returned to their initial position, reclose and the contactor 5 is released.

Figs. 7 to 12, 7a to 12a and 7b to 12b show in detail respectively the structure and position of the various devices of this embodiment:

(1) (Figs. 7-12) at the instant in which the dishing is concluded (2) (Figs.7a-12a) at the instant in which towards 4 the end of the forward stroke, an insulating block strikes the contactor switch and (3) (Figs. 7b12b) during the entire time of the dishing or die pressing, the jaws provided to grasp the central wire and casings being open.

Figs. 7, 7a, 7b show the machine seen in elevation while Figs. 8, 9 and 10, 8a, 90, 100, 8b, 9b, 10b, are respective sections according to the lines AA, BB, and CC of Figs. 7, 7a. or 7b. Figs. 11a, 11b, show a plan view of the apparatus, Figs. 12, 12a, 12b, being the circuit arrangement of the contactor switch and electrically operated brakes.

As in the schematic drawings shown in Figs. 1 to 5, the machine to which this embodiment of Figs. 7-12 relates, is supplied with the wire 2| furnished with insulating plates and the metal strips 22 and 22a to be made with casings the whole being assembled at the output to form the coaxial cable 23.

In Figures 7-12, the machine comprises a table 24 carrying the essential parts of the apparatus and the transmission, a contactor switch 25 mounted on a sliding rod 25 driven by a cam 21, a dishing die stamping press 28 for making the strips 22 and 220. into casings and furnished with two sets 29 and 29a of punches and dies, the closing of these sets being effected by the cam 30 and the opening by the springs 3|, and finally a carriage 32 is provided furnished with sheaves 33 allowing it to move over longitudinal bars 34.

In the movement of carriage 32, the pivoting lever 40 is engaged by an arm which effects a rotating movement by means of pinions, the attack pinion being mounted on the same shaft as the cams 21 and 30. The cams are given a suitable contour, and are properly keyed on the shaft to obtain the manner of operation desired.

This carriage is provided with three jaws 35, 36 and 31 the lower parts of which are fixed and the upper movable, to open under the action of electrically operated brakes 38 and 38a and to close again under the action of the springs 29 and 390. as soon as the electrically operated brakes no longer act.

The electrically operated brakes 38 and 3341 are energized when the contactor switch 25 is closed as shown in the circuit arrangement of Figs. 12. 12a, 12b.

The purpose of the jaws is to grasp the casings and wire when it is necessary to cause them to advance.

The motion of the carriage is ensured by a double connecting rod 40 the movement of which is related to the rotation of the cams 21 and 35. Cams 2] and 30 are carried on a common shaft 42, which also actuates double connecting rod 40.

The cycle of operations in the machine to which this invention relates is the following:

When the various parts of the machine are found in the position shown in Figs. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, which corresponds to the moment at which the dishing is finished, the contactor switch 25 is brought to its lowest point but is not engaged by an insulated block, thus the contactor remains open and the electrically operated brakes 28 and 38a are not energized, so that the jaws 35, 36, 31 grasp the casings and the wire 2| which are thus driven along by the carriage 32.

Figs. 7a, 8a, 9a, 10a, 11a, 12a show the position of the different parts of the machine at the instant in which, towards the end of the forward stroke, an insulating block strikes the contactor switch 25 which has approached the wire 2| under the action of the cam 21.

Then the contactor switch closes at once, the electrically operated brakes 38 and 38a become energized and actuated, the jaws 35, 36, 31 open and the forward motion of the casings and of the wire stops although the carriage l2 continues its unfinished course.

Figs. 7b, 8b, 9b, 10b, 11b, 125 show the position of the various devices at the instant of the dishing under the action of the cam 30, the jaws 35, 36, 31, being still open as the contactor switch is still closed by the thrust of the insulating block striking against it.

The carriage 32 returns over its course.

A moment afterwards, when the carriage 32 has reached the end of its return course, the dishing will be finished, the cam 30 having freed the dieholder which has been drawn back by the springs 3|. v

The jaws will grip the casings and the wire so that the cycle will be repeated.

The only regulation required on the machine is the correct positioning of the dishing press in relation to the contactor switch so that at the junction point of the casings and of the wire carrying the blocks, the latter may come to lie in the dished housings.

Such regulation is necessary because the wire moves with absolutely straight line movement whereas the casings move obliquely to the output of the pincers after passing over the two guides 4| and Ma.

What I claim is:

1. In a machine for making coaxial cable, a support having an input end and an output end, a reciprocating contactor displaceably mounted on said support, a vertically reciprocable press displaceably mounted on said support, a longitudinally reciprocable carriage slidably mounted on said support, a drive shaft rotatably mounted on said support, carriage displacing means connected to said carriage and longitudinally displacing the same, a first cam secured on said drive shaftand actuating said contactor, a second cam secured on said, drive shaft and actuating said press, a third cam secured on said drive shaft and displacing said carriage displacing means, said shaft and said cams being arranged to hold said press open during the interval when said carriage is being longitudinally traversed, said carriage carrying a closable lateral jaw at each side thereof to receive metal strips, said carriage further carrying a closable central jaw in the center thereof receiving a central wire, electrical control means arranged and connected to set said jaws into gripping position and connected for actuation upon the closing of said contactor, and means mounted at the output end of said support to rotate a metal strip received from said lateral jaws through a right angle and further to then guide metal strips obliquely to apply the same to a central wire.

2. A machine according to claim 1, said carriage displacing means being a double connecting rod.

PAUL CHARLES EMARD.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,469,565 Logan May 10, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 552,392 Great Britain Apr. 6, 1943 

